Do you qualify?

• Work in downtown Asheville
• Make 80% of area median income (that’s less than $22.88/hour or $3,967/month)
• Present a valid driver’s license
• Pay via credit card
• Be 18 years or older

How to apply

• United for Youth Block Party | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 3-7 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Pl., Asheville | Free | End the summer with a celebration that includes youth performers, free food, books, family-friendly activities, a DJ, and more.
• Wine Tasting & Live Music with Authentique Vin | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Botainst & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop, 32 Broadway St. Ste. 110, Asheville | $15 | Sip on wine and perry, a drink made from fermented pears, with guidance from local importer Thomas Meunier and a little music.

• Song-O with Divine | Friday, Aug. 18 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Highland Brewing Downtown Taproom, 6 Patton Ave. Ste. 200, Asheville | Free | Have a blast at this drag music bingo event hosted by the lovely Bearded Lady Divine.
• Downtown After 5 | Friday, Aug. 18 | 5-9:30 p.m. | Downtown Asheville, 100 Block of N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Enjoy local beer, cider, wine + food while jamming to the Asheville All Stars and Asheville Rock Academy.

• Summer Cycle | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 2-7 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St., Asheville | Free | Saddle up for the annual community ride, featuring three bike routes, a pop-up bike park, and a BIPOC Affinity Group.
• Deal or No Deal Community Pop-Up Market | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center, 36 Grove St., Asheville | Free | Find treasures among the gently worn clothes and handmade crafts + pottery — or reserve a table for $5 to sell your own goods.
• Harvest Records’ 19th Anniversary | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Harvest Records, 415 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Show your support for the shop and get deals while you’re at it, with 19% off everything storewide — plus, enjoy free beer and food available for purchase from Gypsy Queen.

• Please Don’t Destroy Live | Sunday, Aug. 20 | 6 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $35-$75 | Enjoy a night of sketch comedy with this trio of SNL writers + video producers.
• 18th Annual Come to Leicester Artist Studio Tour | Sunday, Aug. 20 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Leicester Community, 2979 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester | Free | Embark on a self-guided tour of artists’ workspaces, and see handcrafted works at each spot.

• Local artist Gabriel Eng-Goetz has completed the second of three murals for Buncombe County’s Creative Equity Mural Project. The piece, titled “Rebuild,” expresses themes of racial equity, reconciliation, and restoration — hear Gabriel talk about the meaning behind the art. See it for yourself on the Register of Deeds building at 205 College St.

• At their Tuesday, Aug. 15 meeting, Buncombe County Commissioners approved solutions to help recruit and retain Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Child Protective Services (CPS) team members. Actions include an allowance for BCHHS CPS investigations staff of $200 per pay period.

• The NC Dept. of Transportation awarded grants to the towns of Woodfin and Mars Hill to expand bicycle and pedestrian transit opportunities. The program and grants are paid for using state funds in addition to federal planning and research funds. (Mountain Xpress)

• One of nine AI supercomputers could reside in Asheville. Bloomberg reported that Cerebras Systems Inc. CEO Andrew Feldman shared plans to build the data center in the first half of 2024, although the project has yet to be publicly announced. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Tricia and Charlie Frank received the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for 15 years of service with Asheville-Area Habitat for Humanity. Charlie has helped with building homes and working in the ReStore, and Tricia serves the Women Build program and on the board of directors. Together, they also helped develop the Student Build program.

• Mountain Housing Opportunities has announced its new president and CEO following Scott Dedman’s retirement. Geoffrey Barton will take the reigns of the affordable housing nonprofit after previously serving in several high-level roles within the organization.

• Want to get in on a cult craze? See The Lobster Trap’s speciality menu item that has got quite the following since its debut. Pro tip: Use Resy to make a reservation.*